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By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
WASHINGTON (Worthy News) – The White House claims there is no evidence that reported drone sightings in the U.S. state of New Jersey pose a national security risk despite being spotted over sensitive sites such as the golf course of U.S. President-elect Donald J. Trump, a military facility, and the U.S. Coast Guard.
Two Republican congressmen from New Jersey, Chris Smith and Jeff Van Drew, had urged the military to shoot down the mysterious nighttime drones appearing above New Jersey.
Yet U.S. President Joe Biden’s national security communications adviser, John Kirby, said many of the purported drones are lawfully operated manned aircraft. “We have no evidence at this time that the reported drone sightings pose a national security or a public safety threat or have a foreign nexus,” Kirby told reporters at the daily White House press briefing. He spoke amid known concern among U.S. officials about potential Russian and Chinese spying activities in the United States or attack drones.
“The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the [Federal Bureau of Investigation] FBI are investigating these sightings. And they’re working closely with state and local law enforcement to provide resources using numerous detection methods to better understand their origin,” Kirby stressed.
“Using very sophisticated electronic detection technologies provided by federal authorities, we have not been able to, and neither have state or local law enforcement authorities, corroborate any of the reported visual sightings,” he stressed.
“To the contrary, upon review of available imagery, it appears that many of the reported sightings are actually manned aircraft that are being operated lawfully,” Kirby proclaimed.
“The United States Coast Guard is providing support to the state of New Jersey and has confirmed that there is no evidence of any foreign-based involvement from coastal vessels. And importantly, there are no reported or confirmed drone sightings in any restricted airspace,” he noticed.
DANGEROUS OBJECTS?
Yet his statement seemed at odds with remarks by Coast Guard Lieutenant Luke Pinneo, who said Wednesday that “multiple low-altitude aircraft were observed in the vicinity of one of our vessels near Island Beach State Park.”
Additionally, Worthy News reported that flying objects six feet (two meters) in diameter were initially spotted near the Picatinny Arsenal, a U.S. military research and manufacturing facility, and over President-elect Donald Trump’s golf course in Bedminster.
Most of the drones were viewed along coastal areas, and some were recently reported flying over a large reservoir in Clinton. Sightings also have been reported in neighboring states.
Brian Harrell, a former DHS assistant secretary for infrastructure protection under the Trump administration, said in published remarks that Kirby missed a key opportunity to develop trust and calm the public.
“The government has a unique opportunity to build trust with the American public here, and they are fumbling the ball,” Harrell said.
“Yes, additional authorities are needed. However, we have the tools and radar capabilities today to understand the details of these drones. While I don’t think foreign nations are involved, it’s clear to me that the government or contractors are testing capabilities,” he added.
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